Keiner Asprilla, one of the most promising basketball recruits in the 2026 class, has been arrested as a “fugitive from justice,” according to NJ Advance Media. The 7-foot, 265-pound center is accused of “forcible rape” during a recruiting trip to Missouri in September 2023.
The alleged incident reportedly took place on September 20 in Columbia, Missouri, while Asprilla was visiting the University of Missouri. Local authorities responded to a report of sexual assault weeks later, on October 8. At the time, Asprilla was 17 years old; he has since turned 18 and is expected to be extradited to Missouri soon.
Promising career overshadowed by legal troubles
Asprilla is ranked as the No. 2 center in the country for his class and holds offers from top-tier basketball programs, including Kansas, Auburn, Syracuse, and Villanova. According to the On3 Industry Rankings, he is one of the most sought-after recruits in the nation.
Despite his athletic success, the allegations have thrown his future into question. Rich Hansen, St. Peter’s Prep Athletic Director, confirmed that Asprilla is no longer attending the school but declined to elaborate further, citing a “personal matter.”
Statements from the University of Missouri
The University of Missouri addressed the situation in a statement provided to NJ Advance Media:
“The safety of our campus community is of great importance. We are deeply concerned about these serious allegations. This alleged off-campus incident did not involve any of our students, and it was reported to the Columbia PoliceDepartment. We do not have sufficient information to comment further,” said Christopher Ave, a university spokesperson.
A career on hold
Originally from Colombia, Asprilla had a standout high school career, playing at Don Bosco Prep before transferring to St. Peter’s Prep. While at Don Bosco, he contributed to a state championship win, solidifying his reputation as a rising star.
Now, his once-bright future is in jeopardy as legal proceedings move forward. For the basketball community and the programs that had shown interest, the focus will remain on the outcomes of the investigation and trial.